Dollar General store on East Main Street in Batavia just robbed

A robbery just occurred at the Dollar General store on East Main Street in Batavia. The suspect fled on foot, heading east of the store toward Harvester Avenue. The suspect is described as a black male, 6-feet tall, about 240 pounds, wearing a camel-colored jacket. Multiple police units are responding to the store and the area. The suspect "pointed a pocket at (the clerk), indicating he had a gun."

UPDATE 6:53 p.m.: The suspect is further described as having a mustache, a small Afro hairstyle, and also wearing jeans.

UPDATE 7:55 p.m. (by Howard): On the scene, Sgt. John Peck said the suspect is described as a possible Hispanic male, medium skin tone, probably in his 20s, wearing a hooded Carhartt-type jacket.

The suspect handed the clerk a note "threatening harm" and pointed to his hip indicating a gun possibly in his jacket pocket or under his coat.

The clerk complied with the demands of the note and opened the drawer. The man reached in and grabbed all of the cash out of the drawer.

Peck said detectives are reviewing video footage from the store's surveillance cameras.

It's possible the suspect has been in the store before.

The suspect was last seen running toward Pizza Hut.

"As far as we know it was just him," Peck said.

Local law enforcement responded quickly after the robbery was reported, Peck said. Besides three Batavia PD patrols, the State Police and the Sheriff's Office had cars in the area.

"By sheer luck, we were very, very near," Peck said. "We don't think any vehicle was involved. We saturated the area and turned up nothing so far."

"By shear luck, we were very, very near," - and that luck produced what results?
When was the last time u met a 6' tall 240 lb hispanic male?
If there was video surveillance, what's taking so long to review it and make an identification?
At least no one was hurt.

No, Howard, I don't just think things get done like that. I was referencing how lucky it was they were so close, but I don't see that statement is supported by any positive result. But your clarification re: no car was helpful.

Howard & Gary - no one but you are entitled to your First Amendment rights? Talk about Monday morning quarterback.

I'm still wondering what Lisa meant by her statement "When was the last time u met a 6' tall 240 lb hispanic male?" I've met many Lisa - how about you? And they said "possibly" Hispanic. He was first described as black. I've met plenty of them also.

Here we go again, no one is denying your first amendment right Lisa, however that right doesnt entitle you to not hear others opinions on your speech or deny them the right to comment, ridicule or critique those comments. You are developing a pattern of talking before thinking about what you are saying. Most people learn to filter things a bit after a few times of doing this.

The First Amendment guarentees your right to free speech, it does not guarantee you protection from the consequences of excercising that right.

Damn whats with that Plaza lately, wasn't it just last week that we saw several charges for drug associated with that Plaza, and now we have robbery there, and an ancillary crime in that a stolen vehicle has been found there as well. Maybe this would be a hint for police to frequent this area a lil bit more.

Why is that Bob? I have seen all sorts of people through there for all sorts of things. Does one have to be on "Welfare" to want to save money? On that same note if that generalization had any truth why would someone risk armed robbery charges to get what $40 or $50 dollars, especially when almost everyone knows that place is covered 8 ways to sunday with video cameras?

Because -generalizing here- they needed some quick cash for drugs and a quick high,and have no value of life or consequences. Another person we all have to pay for if they end up catching the criminal,then he'll get 3 squares a day and better health insurance than what I have. That plaza is becoming hotbed of "deals". I try to avoid it if I can.

Howard - I have no problem with being challenged, but either others agree or not, I'm still entitled to my opinions. Opinions are not right or wrong and we all have them.

Kyle - I appreciate the psych eval, but as I said to Howard it's an opinion and I am entitled to it. You don't agree, and that's ok. I made comments, stated an opinion. I did not attack fellow Batavian viewers. You seem to do that on a regular. If you'd like to have an adult exchange and challenge statements, that's great. But the rest is nonsense and I'd personally appreciate it if you'd stop the personal attacks. I don't always see things from your point of view, but I have no problem of giving you public kudos for things I do appreciate (like the great job you did at the County Public Hearing) - and I have. Your point of view is yours - especially related to news posts. But none of this is personal, so please stop making it that. Thanks.

Lisa, nobody said you're not entitled to your opinion. Nobody attacked you. You are being challenged for statements that the rest of us find to be fact and reality challenged. You're entitled to whatever opinion you like, but don't try to avoid responsibility for your opinion by misappropriating the First Amendment or saying that your right to your opinion is being denied or that you're being attacked. None of that is happening.

Turning observed behaviors into personal attacks does not make them so Lisa. Once again you speak of being entitled to an opinion and the right to voice it. But then tell me to stop voicing mine? As I told you before and will again I do not work for you or am I beholding to you. You turn my comments into personal attacks but anyone and everyone else that posted the same comments on this story arent percieved as such....

I disagreed greatly with John Roach on Kathy Hochul and her campaign up to and after Election day. Yet we were civil with each other, almost friendly at the County Budget Meeting and the Veterans Day Lunch, same story with John Woodworth as well. You know why, because these exchanges arent personal, when they become heated I realize that the passion is for the SUBJECT matter not the person. (most of the time) So once again as pointed out by myself and others, if you cant handle feedback over the opinonions you voice in a public manner maybe you should re-consider posting them. Because if things go the way you wish them to then your asking everyone else to curb their rights to post opinions so you can excercise yours to do so. And thats pretty unreasonable in anyone's estimation.

And please dont try to use the next dodge of personal responsibility by saying you were just joking either Lisa because thats just as bad as using the First Amendment to avoid responsibility for your comments.

Lisa is the reason that internet connections should not be given to just anybody.

Anywho, it's a simple thing that happened here. The guy obviously left his wallet at home, and rather than go all the way back to get it, he robbed Dollar General, so he could pay for his large super supreme pan pie at Pizza Hut. I'm sure once things cool down, he'll be back to Dollar General to reimburse them from his wallet.

Kyle, you say it's not a personal attack but it is directed at me in a manner different from John and Kathy whom you just responded about, indicating you don't "agree" with them. If it's not personal about me, why don't you just say you don't "agree" with me. It may not matter to you, but I'd be fine with that and wouldn't feel the need to respond to you.

I think that the statement made that by "shear luck they were very, very near" was in reference to the fact that they were able to get there quickly, although not able to apprehend the guy, they were able to be there fast enough so that there were no fatalities. Did I not read that he indicated that he had a gun or weapon? Fortunately all he got off with was some money and not someones life........Let's keep it real here....

Howard, again, I appreciate your clarification of the First Amendment right. With regard to being attacked and that you feel it is not happening, again, that is an opinion. Now that you have said that is what you do is to "challenge," I will keep that in mind when reviewing any responses to direct my way.

Lisa,
You got wrong again. Kyle vigorously disagreed about my opinion on a Hochul ad and its impact on the election. He had no disagreement with Kathy Hochul at all.

Look, you took a cheap shot at the cops for being in the area right away, but not catching the bad guy. Then made a silly statement about Hispanics, which was probably an attempt at humor, that fell flat. This site in not all that forgiving in a debate.

Lisa did you forget your comments in relation to a Veterans Cemetary in the county? I believe that you supposedly cracked a joke there (or so you said afterward) Then claimed everyone took it to seriously?

Again now you want to tell me how I should disagree with you, that to me again seems like you think freedoms, disagreement and comments should happen only in the way that you approve. The more you insist on that, the more selfish and self centered and out of touch you appear to be.

John and I got very heated on our disagreement over Kathy Hochul's use of the Chris Collins Buffalo China issue, some outsiders emailed me as such and I'm sure John may have gotten some too. Did that stop our debate? No it didnt but I dont recall John or myself telling each other that our commentaries were "personal attacks"...
I will continue to make my comments just as you do, if I see you post something that I dont agree with I will handle it in the I have since I joined this forum. Everytime you characterize my comments as personal attacks, I will answer directly. I will not be shamed, or cajoled or bullied into keeping my opinion quiet because you choose to percieve it as an attack or anything else.

I went to a dollar general store in the DC area about 5 years ago, at about this time of the year. I kid you not, this store was absolutely destroyed. The store itself was a mess, completely disorganized. The people, all the people in the store were rude. Customer and employee alike. It scared me to go into the store here in batavia, when a friend suggested I go there to get some cheap gifts for a charity fundraiser I work with, to get some prizes. I was very pleasantly surprised to find it to be the exact opposite. Very nice nice people.

Really Tj, you say that as if you actually would have joined this site. We all know from your attitude that you wouldnt have joined this site. Besides dont understand why the wow anyway it certainly not in context with the discussion in here at present. I'm sure that we as the Batavian's forum community will survive without your contribution.

Lisa,you go girl,seems to me when you state your opinion,you get hammered by the intellectuals of this site...that one guy likes to state his opinion by writing an article trying prove his superior intellegence.......
don't let them scare you away.

I am so glad that no one got hurt! The people that work at Dollar General are ALWAYS pleasant and helpful to me. I always get a "Hello" when I walk in the door. How frightening for them! It is wonderful that the clerk did not resist. Her life is worth far more than the small amount of cash they keep in the register!

Compare prices,my friend. I know that W.M is hated around here. Why anyone shops at overpriced Tops is beyond me. Aldi's and W.M. for me. The times I have been in the Dollar General store-aisles are too narrow and cramped. Anyone w/ a powerchair or walker would have difficult time manuevering in that store. Wal Mart is not upscale and trendy(have you seen "People of WalMart")-upscale trendy for Batavia is either Target or Kmart.......